1909 1C Indian, RB (Regular Strike)
Series: Indian Cents 1859-1909
PCGS MS67RB
PCGS MS66RB
PCGS MS66RB
- PCGS #:
- 2236
- Designer:
- James Barton Longacre
- Edge:
- Plain
- Diameter:
- 19.00 millimeters
- Weight:
- 3.11 grams
- Mintage:
- 14,368,470
- Mint:
- Philadelphia
- Metal:
- 95% Copper, 5% Tin and Zinc
- Auction Record:
- $8,700 • MS67RB • 03-25-2020 • Stack's Bowers
Rarity and Survival Estimates Learn More
| Survival Estimate | |
|---|---|
| All Grades | 1,600 |
| 60 or Better | 1,600 |
| 65 or Better | 250 |
| Numismatic Rarity | |
|---|---|
| All Grades | R-4.7 |
| 60 or Better | R-4.7 |
| 65 or Better | R-6.6 |
| Relative Rarity By Type All Specs in this Type | |
|---|---|
| All Grades | 55 / 55 |
| 60 or Better | 55 / 55 |
| 65 or Better | 53 / 55 |
| Relative Rarity By Series All Specs in this Series | |
|---|---|
| All Grades | 55 / 55 |
| 60 or Better | 55 / 55 |
| 65 or Better | 53 / 55 |
Condition Census What Is This?
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#1 PCGS MS67RB
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#2 PCGS MS66RB
GreatCollections, August 24, 2025, Lot 1894579 - $503.70. |
#2 PCGS MS66RB
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#2 PCGS MS66RB
GreatCollections, March 13, 2016, Lot 341144 - $534.38; GreatCollections, July 24, 2016, Lot 372231 - $601.88; GreatCollections, September 22, 2019, Lot 750579 - $518.16; "The lostmountainman Collection" (PCGS Set Registry). |
#2 PCGS MS66RB
Heritage Auctions, May 15, 2019, Lot 23046 - $360. |
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#2 PCGS MS66RB
"The Pow Wow Collection" (PCGS Set Registry). |
| #2 PCGS MS66RB |
#2 PCGS MS66RB
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#2 PCGS MS66RB
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#2 PCGS MS66RB
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| #2 PCGS MS66RB |
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#2 PCGS MS66RB
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#2 PCGS MS66RB
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| #2 PCGS MS66RB |
#2 PCGS MS66RB
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#2 PCGS MS66RB
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The 1909 Indian Cent
The year 1909 marked the 50th and final year of James Barton Longacre’s Indian Cent design before the U.S. Mint transitioned to Victor David Brenner’s Lincoln Wheat Cent. Philadelphia handled the bulk of the year's production, striking 14,368,470 coins starting on January 2, 1909. Notably, 1909 was the first year the date was hubbed directly into the master dies — a technical innovation designed to eliminate hand-punched overdates.
Noteworthy First Strike
A historic 1909 Philadelphia cent, purported to be the very first specimen struck by coiner Rhine R. Freed, sold at Stack’s Bowers on March 27, 2024, for $3,600 (complete with its original presentation card).
Known Varieties
Indian Cent expert Rick Snow attributes two distinct obverse varieties in his Flying Eagle & Indian Cent Attribution Guide:
- Master Die Doubled Initial (FS-101): Features doubling on Longacre’s "L" initial. Despite its inclusion in the Cherrypickers' Guide, this common master die issue affected numerous dies and carries little collector premium.
- Minor Doubled Die: Displays light, subtle doubling on the obverse lettering.
PCGS attributes the FS-101 through our variety service.
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